Record and controversies

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Environmental record

Bio

Background

Richard Edmund Neal was born on February 14, 1949 in Worcester, Massachusetts. He graduated with honors from the Political Science program at American International College in 1972. He also received his Masters Degree in Public Administration from the Barney School of Business and Public Administration at the University of Hartford in 1976.

Neal started his career in public service in 1973 as an assistant to Springfield Mayor William C. Sullivan. He successfully ran for elected office in 1978, when he was elected as a councilman on the Springfield City Council. Neal's career continued as President of the City Council in 1979 and mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts from 1984 to 1989. In addition, Neal taught at the Roman Catholic Cathedral High School.

Congressional Career

Neal was first elected to Congress in 1989, taking the place of Edward Boland. Neal's goals have included making it easier to attend college, expanding health care, protecting the rights of older Americans, and working against the privitization of Social Security. He continues to lead the effort to repeal the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). He has also worked to make health care and tuition expenses tax deductible for middle class people. [1]

Neal, of Irish descent, is the co-chair of the Ad hoc Committee on Irish Affairs. He met frequently met with leaders of both sides of the conflict in Northern Ireland. After the disarmament of the Irish Republican Army in September of 2005, Neal met with IRA leader Martin McGuinness to congratulate him on the action of disarmament and ensure a lasting peace had been reached. Congressman Neal will continue to work with the Sinn Fein and other groups in Northern Ireland to pursue a lasting peace.